Football: Inside the Rankings, Week 5

As we approach a week with a lot of byes, the 5A picture is looking clearer with district play in full swing. In 4A, the 3As keep winning and one 4A team keeps surprising.

Class 5A
1. Judson (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 1
Last game: Defeated No. 10 Madison 48-7
The reason: The Rockets’ destroyed Madison in much of the same way they took out another 26-5A team, MacArthur, in Week 0. Afterward, you think, “They won by how much?”
Up next: Bye

2. Steele (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 2
Last game: Defeated Austin High 55-7
The reason: For the second straight game, the Knights’ starters got most of the second half off. With a bye week and Seguin next week, they should be more than recharged for New Braunfels and Judson back-to-back.
Up next: Bye

3. Brandeis (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Defeated Clark 34-20
The reason: It doesn’t seem to matter who’s playing quarterback, the Broncos just keep rolling through district play.
Up next: vs. Holmes

4. Warren (3-1)
Last ranking: No. 4
Last game: Bye
The reason: An enigmatic Stevens team will give the Warriors their first test since the close loss to Brandeis.
Up next: vs. Stevens

5. Johnson (4-1)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated MacArthur
The reason: A four-game winning streak sure suggests that the Jaguars are for real.
Next up: vs. Madison

6. Wagner (3-2)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Defeated Southwest 28-12
The reason: The T-birds actually trailed the struggling Dragons at halftime before rallying thanks to a huge game from Derrick Kindred. With QB Jacoby Clay on the mend, Wagner desperately needs this bye week.
Next up: Bye

It was a rough week for Churchill. Not so much for Reagan. Photo: Tom Reel

7. Reagan (4-1)
Last ranking: No. 7
Last game: Defeated No. 8 Churchill 52-14
The reason: The other double-take worthy final score from last week. Reagan and Trevor Knight finally put one together. If they make a habit out of it, they’ll make noise in the playoffs.
Up next: Bye

8. O’Connor (3-1)
Last ranking: No. 9
Last game: Defeated Taft 27-3
The reason: Pulled out an ugly win against Taft. While the Panthers don’t have good-looking stats, they’ve gotten the job done, and their only loss was to Reagan.
Up next: vs. Marshall

9. Churchill (2-3)
Last ranking: No. 8
Last game: Lost to No. 7 Reagan 52-14
The reason: Sure they’ve lost their last two games to Judson and Reagan, but 92 points allowed in two weeks isn’t confidence-inspiring. Look for the once-feared Churchill D to bounce back.
Up next: vs. Lee

10. New Braunfels (3-2)
Last ranking: Not ranked
Last game: Defeated Austin Westlake 24-21
The reason: The Unicorns scored 10 points in the fourth to upset traditional power Westlake. Nine points separate NB from being 5-0.
Up next: Bye

4. McCollum (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 7
Last game: Defeated No. 8 Boerne Champion 38-7
The reason: The Cowboys are averaging more than 40 points per game and haven’t allowed more than 14 in a game. Give it up for your surprise team of the first month.
Up next: at No. 2 Kerrville Tivy

5. New Braunfels Canyon (4-1)
Last ranking: No. 3
Last game: Lost to No. 1 Smithson Valley 30-3
The reason: There’s no shame in losing to the Rangers, but it showed the Cougars’ running game (i.e. lifeblood) can be stopped.
Up next: vs. Kyle Lehman

6. Devine (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 5
Last game: Defeated Carrizo Springs 64-3
The reason: Joseph Sadler had just six carries and managed to rush for 200 yards and 4 TDs. Just another day in the life of the Gingerbread Man.
Up next: at Lytle

7. Alamo Heights (3-2)
Last ranking: No. 6
Last game: Defeated Lockhart 34-6
The reason: The Mules keep showing that a two-QB approach can work at a school known for its legendary QBs.
Up next: at Hays

8. Canyon Lake (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 9
Last game: Defeated Luling 56-28
The reason: The Hawks have earned our respect. A win at Navarro next week will earn their district’s.
Up next: Bye

9. Hondo (5-0)
Last ranking: No. 9
Last game: Defeated Pearsall 47-8
The reason: That season-ending matchup with rival Devine is looking more and more exciting.
Up next: vs. Crystal City

Troy Mathis helped Brack crack the Top 10. Photo: Tom Reel

10. Brackenridge (3-1)
Last ranking: Not ranked
Last game: Defeated Southside 47-14
The reason: Brack is Back…in the Top 10!
Up next: at Kennedy